Low-income seniors, growers connect through Maine Senior FarmShare

By Meg Haskell
BDN Staff

SANGERVILLE — Spring is barely a gleam in the weatherman’s eye these days. But for some older Mainers, the rollout of the 2016 Maine Senior FarmShare program last week stirred deep anticipation of the sweet aroma of fresh-tilled soil and the welcome sight of tender young vegetables at local farm stands.

BDN photo/Linda Coan O’Kresick

MAINE SENIOR FARMSHARE — Rainie Stutzman, left, and Wendy Frye carry lettuce to the greenhouse to be planted in Sangerville. Stutzman and her husband, who own Stutzman’s Farm Stand & Bakery, participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program that connects low-income seniors with participating farmers.

The federally funded Senior FarmShare program, established in 2001, connects low-income seniors with participating nearby farmers providing them with funds for farm produce. A modest $50 voucher encourages them to obtain healthy, fresh produce from a local grower, who can in turn rely on a loyal, local customer likely to return throughout the season, long after the voucher is spent. Last year in Maine, the program served more than 17,000 seniors at 105 participating farms.

To qualify for Senior FarmShare, seniors must earn no more than $21,775 per year for a one-person household or $29,471 per year for a two-person household. Native Americans can qualify at age 55; for everyone else, the age threshold is 60.

On Tuesday morning in Sangerville, Stutzman’s Farm Stand & Bakery opened its doors to a bedraggled crowd of older friends and neighbors waiting patiently in the rain to sign up for Senior FarmShare. The farm posted an early sign-up event on its Facebook page, hoping to enroll a large group of participants efficiently, before the start of the busy planting season ahead. It worked.

“There must have been 60 of them standing out there,” said Rainie Stutzman, who runs the family farm with her husband, Sid.

She brought them inside, served up warming cups of coffee and tea and helped them fill out vouchers entitling them to fresh produce from the Stutzman farm, a three-generation landmark in southern Piscataquis County. By noon, more than 140 seniors had signed up, including many who have participated in the program for years.

Stutzman anticipated another big turnout on Wednesday — a sunny day was forecast — and then a steady ramp-up of participants as summer approaches. The farm is authorized to serve about 450 program participants this year and will have a waiting list. Similar scenarios are playing out at farms all across the state.

Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this year’s program in Maine will provide for 15,664 vouchers at 95 participating farms — at least one in each county. It’s a small decrease from last year, but program manager Julie Waller of the Maine agriculture department said states typically receive an infusion of “carryover” funds later in the season, which should boost participation to close to last year’s levels.

Ora Larrabee, 79, of Dover-Foxcroft has participated in Maine Senior FarmShare at the Stutzman farm since the program began.

“I always sign up,” Larrabee said firmly.

She looks forward to the farm’s sweet early-crop strawberries and later in the season cucumbers, tomatoes and corn. She’d shop at Stutzman’s anyway, but the $50 voucher is a draw.

“Every little bit helps,” she said.

Rainie Stutzman said that in addition to the vouchers provided through the Senior FarmShare program, the farm fundraises all year long to help more low-income seniors buy healthy produce. Local business and regular customers are encouraged to “adopt-a-senior” for a $50 donation, which typically results in providing another 100 vouchers to redeem at the farm stand.

Meanwhile, she said, the growing season is already beginning. Early greenhouse plantings of spinach, lettuce and other early greens are almost ready to transplant to the farm fields. Other crops will be direct-seeded as the soil warms.

“We’re just waiting on the weather,” she said.

For more information, including a list of participating farms, visit the website of the  Maine Senior FarmShare program or call your local  Area Agency on Aging at 877-353-3771.

BDN photo/Linda Coan O’Kresick

PROVIDING ASSISTANCE — Gail Stutzman, right, helps Ruth Nutter of Milo fill out her application for the FarmShare program. Seniors have been coming to Stutzman’s Farm Stand & Bakery in Sangerville to sign up for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.

BDN photo/Linda Coan O’Kresick

HELPING HANDS — Sid Stutzman helps Viola Woodard with her application for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program on April 13 in Sangerville. Stutzman and his wife, who own Stutzman’s Farm Stand & Bakery, participate in the program that connects low-income seniors with participating farmers.

BDN photo/Linda Coan O’Kresick

SENIOR FARMSHARE — Seniors come to sign up for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program at the cafe at Stutzman’s Farm Stand & Bakery.

BDN photo/Linda Coan O’Kresick

FEEDING THOSE IN NEED — Wendy Frye, who has worked at Stutzman’s Farm & Bakery for three years, plants lettuce in the greenhouse in Sangerville.